The range of childcare services includes childminders, day nurseries, nursery schools and classes, playgroups, out-of-school clubs and holiday play schemes. The fastest growth has occurred in the provision of out-of-school club places and holiday play schemes, which registered 253.7% and 162.7% increases, respectively, between 1993 and 1998. This group was followed by private day nurseries, whose provision of places grew by 56.4% over the period under review. The proportion of women with dependent children in paid employment outside the home is continuing to rise, and changes in underlying female work patterns are contributing to the growing surge in demand. It is estimated that women will account for 900,000 of the projected rise of 1.2 million in the labour force by 2006. The growth in employment of mothers has also been mirrored by an expansion in the number of women achieving educational qualifications, and a convergence of pay levels for women and men in full-time work.

The early indications are that the unmet demand for childcare services will be met as the Government is committed to supporting working parents and closing the 'childcare gap' in Britain. Around £8.5bn has been allocated to spend on the entire sector and, in line with this, increased provision for childcare. Key Note forecasts show a continuing rise in the number of childcare places for all sectors except playgroups. Out-of-school clubs and holiday play schemes are projected to rise most rapidly, reflecting both underlying demographic trends and the extra Government provision for this age group through the increase in the age limit from 11 years-old to 14 years-old for entitlement to Childcare Tax Credit towards the end of 1999. The rise in childcare places is forecast to be most pronounced in the shorter term rising by 11.9% from 1998 to 1999, boosted by Government funding. The childcare market is expected to slow down towards the end of the 5-year forecast period with an increase of 11.2% over the 2-year period from 2001 to 2003.

Market Definition

• Introduction
• Market Sectors
• Market Position
• Market Trends
• Table 1: Economic Activity Status Of Single Women By Age Of Youngest Dependent Child In The Uk (%), 1998
• Table 2: Economic Activity Status Of Married Women By Age Of Youngest Dependent Child In The Uk (%), 1998
• Table 3: Formal Childcare Costs (£), 1998
• Table 4: Typical Expenditure On Childcare Compared With Other Household Expenditure (£), 1998

Market Size

• The Total Market
• Market Sectors
• A European Perspective
• Table 5: The Number Childcare Places In England, 1993 And 1998
• Table 6: Distribution Of Childcare Services (%), 1993 And 1998
• Table 7: Estimated Value Of Spending On Childcare By Parents (£Bn), 1993-1998
• Table 8: Number Of Places With Registered Childminders In England, 1993-1998
• Table 9: Number Of Registered Childminders In England, 1993-1998
• Table 10: Number Of Places In Day Nurseries In England, 1993-1998
• Table 11: Number Of Day Nurseries In England, 1993-1998
• Table 12: Number Of Places At Maintained Nursery Schools And Classes In England, 1993-1998
• Table 13: Number Of Maintained Nursery Schools And Classes, 1993-1998
• Table 14: Number Of Places In Non-Maintained Nursery Schools, 1993-1998
• Table 15: Number Of Places In Playgroups In England, 1993-1998
• Table 16: Number Of Playgroups In England, 1993-1998
• Table 17: Playgroup Sessions, 1994-1998
• Table 18: Number Of Places For 5 To 7 Year-Olds At Out-Of-School Clubs In England, 1993-1998
• Table 19: Number Of Out-Of-School Clubs For 5 To 7 Year-Olds In England, 1993-1998
• Table 20: Number Of Places For 5 To 7 Year-Olds In Holiday Schemes In England, 1993-1998
• Table 21: Number Of Holiday Schemes For 5 To 7 Year-Olds In England, 1993-1998

Industry Background

• Recent History
• Legislation
• Industry Concentration
• Distribution
• Childcare Vouchers
• Trade Associations And Related Organisations
• Table 22: Employer's Workplace Schemes (%), 1996

Competitor Analysis

• Key Users And Providers Of Childcare Services
• Market Leaders
• Table 23: Selected Companies Providing Childcare Services (£M), 1997/1998

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities And Threats (Swot)

• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Opportunities
• Threats

Buying Behaviour

• Introduction
• Table 24: Presence Of Children (% Of Women), 1998
• Table 25: Working Status (% Of Women), 1998
• Table 26: Marital Status (% Of Women), 1998
• Table 27: Average Weekly Household Expenditure On Childcare (£), 1997/1998
• Table 28: Average Weekly Household Expenditure On Domestic Help And Childcare By Gross Income Decile Group (£), 1997/1998

Outside Suppliers To The Industry

• Introduction
• Services
• Manufactured Products

Current Issues

• Introduction
• 1999 Budget
• Childcare Tax Credit
• National Childcare Strategy
• National Childcare Week 1999
• Fairness At Work Bill
• 5-Term School Years

Forecasts

• Introduction
• Demographic Demand
• Employment Trends
• Forecasts 1999 To 2003
• Table 29: Projected Uk Population Aged 0 To 14 Years-Old (000), 1999-2003
• Table 30: Distribution Of The Projected Uk Population Aged 0 To 14 Years-Old (%), 1999-2003
• Table 31: Projected Growth In Uk Population Aged 0 To 14 Years-Old (%), 1999-2003
• Table 32: Projected Uk Labour Force By Gender And Age (Million), 1999 And 2003
• Table 33: Projected Number Of Childcare Places In England, 1999-2003

Company Profiles

• Introduction
• Definitions
• Further Information

Further Sources

• Associations
• Periodicals
• Directories
• General Sources
• Hoppenstedt Bonnier Information Sources
• Government Publications
• Other Sources